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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58787-58789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23432]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0997; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-060-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 
(Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional 
Jet Series 900) airplanes. The existing AD currently requires 
repetitive inspections of the rudder travel limiter (RTL) return 
springs and primary actuator, and corrective actions if necessary. 
Since we issued that AD, terminating action has been developed which 
eliminates the need for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD 
would require replacing certain RTL return springs, including doing 
related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary; and would 
also revise the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the RTL, which would permit an increase of rudder authority 
beyond normal structural limits and consequently affect the 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 8, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec 
H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; email 
thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7318; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0997; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-060-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On January 25, 2011, we issued AD 2011-03-13, Amendment 39-16597 
(76 FR 6539, February 7, 2011). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
    Since we issued AD 2011-03-13, Amendment 39-16597 (76 FR 6539, 
February 7, 2011), Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness 
Directive CF-2010-18R1, dated March 19, 2012 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

Rudder Travel Limiter (RTL) return spring, part number (P/N) E0650-
069-2750S, failed prior to completion of the required endurance 
test. In addition, the replacement RTL return spring, P/N 670-93465-
1 (see Note) was found to be susceptible to chafing on the primary 
actuator, which could also result in eventual dormant spring 
failure. There are two return springs in the RTL and if both springs 
failed, a subsequent mechanical disconnect of the RTL components 
would result in an unannunciated failure of the RTL. This, in turn, 
would permit an increase of rudder authority beyond normal 
structural limits and, in the event of a strong rudder input, the 
controllability of the aeroplane could be affected.

Note: RTL return springs, P/N 670-93465-1, were installed in 
production aeroplanes serial number 10266 (CL-600-2C10) and 15182 
(CL-600-2D24) respectively and were introduced in-service by 
[Bombardier] Service Bulletin (SB) 670BA-27-047. [Bombardier] SB 
670BA-27-047 has since been superseded by [Bombardier] SB 670BA-27-
055.

This [TCCA] AD mandates repetitive [detailed] visual inspection of 
the RTL [for broken] return springs and [damage through the casing 
or chafing of the casing of the] primary actuator, [and] replacement 
of parts as necessary.

This revision mandates the installation of the RTL return spring, P/
N BA670-93468-1, as a terminating action to this [TCCA] AD.

This proposed AD would expand the applicability by adding Model CL-600-
2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplane, serial number 
10002. This proposed AD would also reduce the applicability by removing 
Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes 
serial numbers 10334 and subsequent; and also removes Model CL-600-
2D15, serial numbers 15289 and subsequent. The installation consists of 
replacing certain RTL return springs with new springs and doing related 
investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. The related 
investigative action is a detailed inspection of the casing of the 
primary actuator for signs of chafing or missing paint. Corrective 
actions include replacing any broken return spring with

[[Page 58788]]

a new spring, repairing any chafing of the primary actuator on its 
casing, and replacing any primary actuator that has damage through its 
casing with a new actuator. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-27-059, Revision 
A, dated March 8, 2012. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 366 products of U.S. registry.
    The actions that are required by AD 2011-03-13, Amendment 39-16597 
(76 FR 6539, February 7, 2011), and retained in this proposed AD take 
about 2 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently 
required actions is $170 per product.
    We estimate that it would take about 8 work-hours per product to 
comply with the new basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $1,291 
per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs 
that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no 
charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for 
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated 
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators to be $721,386, or $1,971 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 2011-03-13, Amendment 39-16597 (76 FR 6539, February 7, 2011), and 
adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-0997; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-060-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 8, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2011-03-13, Amendment 39-16597 (76 FR 
6539, February 7, 2011).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Bombardier, Inc. airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplanes, serial numbers 10002 through 10333 inclusive.
    (2) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes; and 
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, serial 
numbers 15001 through 15288 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the rudder travel 
limiter (RTL) return spring. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the RTL, which would permit an increase of rudder 
authority beyond normal structural limits and consequently affect 
the controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Retained Initial Inspections and Replacement/Repair for Certain 
Airplanes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2011-03-13, Amendment 39-16597 (76 FR 6539, February 7, 2011). 
Except for Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplane, serial number 10002, for airplanes that have accumulated 
4,000 or less total flight hours as of March 14, 2011 (the effective 
date of AD 2011-03-13): Before the accumulation of 6,000 total 
flight hours, do a detailed inspection of the RTL for broken return 
springs and damage through the casing, or chafing of the casing of 
the primary actuator, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision 
A, dated August 6, 2010. Before further flight, replace any broken 
return springs with new springs, and repair or replace with a new 
actuator any chafed or damaged primary actuator, as applicable, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision A,

[[Page 58789]]

dated August 6, 2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 6,000 flight hours. Accomplishment of the actions 
required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of 
this paragraph.

(h) Retained Initial Inspections and Replacement/Repair for Certain 
Higher Flight Time Airplanes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2011-03-13, Amendment 39-16597 (76 FR 6539, February 7, 2011). 
Except for Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplane, serial number 10002, for airplanes that have accumulated 
more than 4,000 total flight hours as of March 14, 2011 (the 
effective date of AD 2011-03-13): Within 2,000 flight hours after 
March 14, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-03-13), do a detailed 
inspection of the RTL for broken return springs and damage through 
the casing, or chafing of the casing of the primary actuator, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. 
Before further flight, replace any broken return springs with new 
springs, and repair or replace any chafed or damaged primary 
actuator with a new actuator, as applicable, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-
055, Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours. 
Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD 
terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(i) New RTL Spring Inspection and Replacement for a Certain Airplane

    For Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplane, serial number 10002, at the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of 
the RTL for broken return springs and damage through the casing, or 
chafing of the casing of the primary actuator, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
670BA-27-055, Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. Before further 
flight, replace any broken return springs with new springs, and 
repair or replace with a new actuator any chafed or damaged primary 
actuator, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision 
A, dated August 6, 2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours. Accomplishment of the 
applicable actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates 
the requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) If the airplane has accumulated 4,000 or less total flight 
hours as of the effective date of this AD: Before the accumulation 
of 6,000 total flight hours.
    (2) If the airplane has accumulated more than 4,000 total flight 
hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD.

(j) New RTL Spring Replacement

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) 
of this AD: Replace the RTL return springs with new springs, and do 
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-059, Revision A, dated March 8, 2012. Do 
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before 
further flight. Accomplishment of the applicable actions required by 
this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g), (h), 
and (i) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes with RTL return springs having part number (P/
N) 670-93465-1: Within 6,000 flight cycles after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes with RTL return springs having P/N E0650-069-
2750S: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(2)(i), 
(j)(2)(ii), or (j)(2)(iii) of this AD.
    (i) For airplanes with 15,400 total flight cycles or more as of 
the effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (ii) For airplanes with 5,200 total flight cycles or more, but 
less than 15,400 total flight cycles as of the effective date of 
this AD: Within 5,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, but not to exceed 17,400 total flight cycles.
    (iii) For airplanes with less than 5,200 total flight cycles as 
of the effective date of this AD: Before accumulating 10,200 total 
flight cycles.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before March 14, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-03-13, 
Amendment 39-16597 (76 FR 6539, February 7, 2011)), using Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, dated May 11, 2010, which is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (j) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-
27-059, dated October 12, 2011, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Program 
Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone 516-
228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter 
must specifically reference this AD. AMOCs approved previously in 
accordance with AD 2011-03-13, Amendment 39-16597 (76 FR 6539, 
February 7, 2011), are approved as AMOCs for this AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-18R1, 
dated March 19, 2012, and the following service information, for 
related information.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-059, Revision A, dated 
March 8, 2012.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision A, dated 
August 6, 2010.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, 
Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-
7401; email thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 11, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23432 Filed 9-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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